Travel to Tanzania

There are no direct flights between the United States and Tanzania. There are flights via London, Amsterdam, Zurich, Istanbul, Johannesburg and Dubai. Some of our volunteers prefer the flight to Dubai with an airline provided overnight stay at a hotel adjacent to the airport because the connecting flight is the next day. The connecting flight from Dubai arrives in Dar at 3 PM in the afternoon as opposed to some of the other flights arriving after 9 PM from Europe. If traveling from the West Coast of the United States, we recommend a stopover of at least one night in Europe or North Africa to rest prior to the long flight to Dar es Salaam. We also recommend arriving in Dar es Salaam on Friday to allow time to sleep over the weekend, recover from jet lag and get organized. If you need assistance with travel arrangements, Vicki Bromiley at Fugazi Travel is excellent, very responsive and has extensive experience making travel arrangements to Tanzania.

Lodging in Dar es Salaam

Most volunteers elect to stay at the Kalenga House, a large house owned and operated by MUHAS 3-5 minutes’ walk to the MUHAS compound. The Kalenga House is a two-story building with eight rooms (two with a shower and toilet within the room, the rest with shared facilities on both floors). It is located within a walled compound with a security guard. The house contains a dining room, parlor, kitchen (with a stove, refrigerator/freezer and full set of utensils, cookware, and dishes) and a washing machine. There is a clothesline in the back of the house. An attendant lives in an adjacent small house within the compound. The cost of lodging is $70.00/night for one person and $75.00/night for a couple. You can learn more about the Kalenga House here.

You can contact the administrator of the Kalenga House at the e-mail address below.

There are hotels in Dar es Salaam located further from the hospital. The traffic in Dar es Salaam however is quite challenging and lodging within walking distance of the hospital is a distinct advantage.

Travel from the Airport to the Kalenga house

MUHAS will provide a driver who will pick you up at the airport. The cost of travel is $30.00 (US) from the airport to the Kalenga House. Please send your flight itinerary (date and time of arrival, airline, flight number) to Ulimbaga Kajobile (mkajobile@hotmail.com). You should receive confirmation of the driver’s availability. You can also travel by taxi from the airport but most of the taxi drivers do not know exactly where the Kalenga House is. If you find yourself at the airport without transport, tell the taxi driver that you want to go to the Muhimbili National Hospital in Upanga. The address of the Kalenga House is Plot 490, Kalenga Road (Barabara ya Kalenga in Swahili). There are no signs saying Kalenga House outside. The Kalenga House attendant will greet you when you arrive and see you to your room. It is best to bring some bread or pastries with you from Europe as you will likely be arriving late at night and no stores will be open.

Getting Around Dar es Salaam

The easiest way to get around is a taxi. Two reliable drivers are Godfrey (0784463913) and Hamisi (0787922254)